On the iStock contributor forum Brenda Bazylewski of iStock contributor relations recently reported the following.
“We (iStock) were recently made aware of the Chinese website, “
Xiaba” which was offering iStock imagery for personal educational use only, free of charge. According to the terms of their license, the imagery could not be used for commercial or editorial purposes.
“The website is operated by VCG, our strategic partner in China, who we Immediately contacted and who have now shut down the website. Although the personal education uses would not generate a license fee VCG hoped that the additional website traffic and users would lead to new commercial and editorial licensed, generating more revenue and royalties.
“We share the concerns that many of you have expressed and take them seriously. We agree that offering this personal educational license is too open to abuse, either deliberately or out of ignorance, which is why we asked them to close the site down.
“We are working with VCG to determine if any further action is needed and to explore appropriate ways to grow revenue and royalties in China.”
It is unclear whether
Xiaba has been totally shut down, or just the iStock images removed. It seems possible that images from Getty as well as other agencies and contributors are still available on this site.